Mist generating apparatus for use in a vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an apparatus for generating mist, having: a container adapted to accommodate a liquid, the container having an inlet for receiving an incoming fluid stream into the container, and an outlet via which an outgoing fluid stream exits the container; at least one agitator arranged in the container for agitating the accommodated liquid to generate droplets of the liquid; wherein the agitator is arranged to be driven by the incoming fluid stream, such that the generated liquid droplets are caused by the incoming fluid stream to form the outgoing fluid stream, and subsequently, exit the container. The invention also provides a system for generating mist, having: a plurality of the above described apparatuses, having at least a first apparatus having a first inlet and a first outlet, and a second apparatus having a second inlet and a second outlet; wherein the first outlet is adapted to be connected with the second inlet to thereby allow fluid communication between the first apparatus and the second apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a mist generating apparatus for use in avehicle, particularly but not exclusively, to an apparatus forgenerating mist to a combustion engine of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that the emission of exhaust gases from combustion enginesof vehicles contributes significantly to atmospheric pollution. Exhaustgases from both gasoline and diesel-fueled engines contain variouscombustion by-products for example, hydrocarbons, oxides of carbon suchas carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen and sulfur which are known tobe harmful to the environment, particularly when emitted asmicro-particulates. These especially harmful particulate contaminantsare at their peak when combustion engines are run without sufficientoxygen to fully combust their fuel.

It is also known that an increased amount of these harmful combustionby-products will be produced if the combustion engines are run at lowpower level and/or operate at high temperature, during which efficiencyof the engines will decline and possibly, lead to incomplete combustionof the fuel. Various systems such as catalytic converters and airinjection systems have been developed which attempt to reduce theproduction and/or emission of these harmful by-products and also toincrease efficiency of the combustion engines. In some modern engines,humid air such as steam has been injected into the combustion engines toimprove performance of the engines and to reduce emission of the harmfulsubstances.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forgenerating mist for use in a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to mitigate or obviate tosome degree one or more problems associated with the prior art, or atleast to provide a useful alternative.

The above objects are met by the combination of features of the mainclaims; the sub-claims disclose further advantageous embodiments of theinvention.

One skilled in the art will derive from the following description otherobjects of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing statements of objectare not exhaustive and serve merely to illustrate some of the manyobjects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first main aspect, the invention provides an apparatus forgenerating mist, comprising: a container adapted to accommodate aliquid, the container comprising an inlet for receiving an incomingfluid stream into the container, and an outlet via which an outgoingfluid stream exits the container; at least one agitating means arrangedin the container for agitating the accommodated liquid to generatedroplets of the liquid; wherein the agitating means is arranged to bedriven by the incoming fluid stream, such that the generated liquiddroplets are caused by the incoming fluid stream to form the outgoingfluid stream, and subsequently, exit the container.

In a second main aspect, the invention provides a system for generatingmist, comprising: a plurality of apparatuses according to the first mainaspect, the plurality of apparatuses comprising: at least a firstapparatus having a first inlet and a first outlet, and a secondapparatus having a second inlet and a second outlet; wherein the firstoutlet is adapted to be connected with the second inlet to thereby allowfluid communication between the first apparatus and the secondapparatus.

The summary of the invention does not necessarily disclose all thefeatures essential for defining the invention; the invention may residein a sub-combination of the disclosed features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further features of the present invention will beapparent from the following description of preferred embodiments whichare provided by way of example only in connection with the accompanyingfigure, of which:

FIG. 1 is an internal perspective view showing an embodiment of the mistgenerating apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first agitating means of theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first baffle means arranged abovethe first agitating means of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second agitating means and asecond baffle means arranged above the first agitating means and thefirst baffle means of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a third agitating means and a thirdbaffle means arranged above the second agitating means and the secondbaffle means of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fourth agitating means and afourth baffle means arranged above the third agitating means and thethird baffle means of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a flow directing means arrangedabove the plurality of agitating means and baffle means of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a filtering means arranged abovethe flow directing means of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a plurality of filtering meansarranged above the flow directing means of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side cross sectional view showing an embodiment of a mistgenerating system comprising three embodied mist generating apparatusesaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top cross section view showing an embodiment of a mistgenerating system comprising three embodied mist generating apparatusesaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the baffle means and the agitatingmeans of another embodiment of the mist generating apparatus accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the baffle means and the flowdirecting means of the mist generating apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the baffle means and the filteringmeans of the mist generating apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a side cross section view showing the mist generatingapparatus of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 16 is a top cross section view showing another embodiment of themist generating system comprising three embodied mist generatingapparatuses according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is of preferred embodiments by way of exampleonly and without limitation to the combination of features necessary forcarrying the invention into effect.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but not other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is an embodiment of an apparatus 10 forgenerating mist, particularly but not exclusively, for use in a vehiclepowered by an internal combustion engine. The apparatus 10 is adapted togenerate mist from a liquid, with the mist then being transferred orconveyed to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine ofthe vehicle, although a person skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe apparatus 10 can be utilised to generate mist for use in otherinternal parts, components or operating regions of the vehicle, as longas it is considered suitable and applicable.

In the context of the present description, the term “vehicle” broadlyrefers to any form of mobile machine adapted to transport people orgoods or to perform work, such as but not limited to, automobiles suchas cars, trucks and buses, mobile cranes, earth movers; railed vehiclessuch as trains or trams; watercraft such as ships and boats; and alsoaircraft, as long as the vehicle is adapted to generate motive power bythe combustion of fuels such as petrol, oil, gasoline, diesel or otherfuels via one or more internal combustion engines. Furthermore, the term“mist” generally refers to a cloud or a stream of very fine liquiddroplets, with the droplet size being small enough to suspend in the airsuch as in the form of an aerosol. In general, the diameter of the finedroplets of the mist is in the range of about 1 μm to about 5 mm,depending on the surface tension and density of the liquid, as well as,for example, rotating speeds of the agitating means, pore sizes of thefluid passageways and/or the filtering means, etc. of the mistgenerating apparatus 10.

In the embodiment as shown in the figure, the apparatus 10 comprises acontainer 20 adapted to accommodate a liquid 5. The liquid 5 maycomprise water such as distilled water and/or oxygen enriched water.Alternatively, the liquid 5 can be an aqueous mixture of water and anyknown, water soluble performance enhancing agent or agents for vehicles.The container 20 may comprise an inlet 22 for receiving an incomingfluid stream (A) into the container 20, and an outlet 24 via which anoutgoing fluid stream (B) exits the container 20. In the context of thepresent description, the term “fluid” may generally refer to anyliquids, gases or a mixture of both which is capable of free flowing andwith no defined shape.

The apparatus 10 further comprises at least one agitating means 30arranged in the container 20 for agitating the accommodated liquid 5 toatomize, or in other words, generate fine droplets of the liquid therebyforming a mist of the liquid. The agitating means 30 can be provided inany known forms such as, but is not limited to, a stirrer, a rotorblade, an impeller or the like, as long as it is movable to direct orforce the contained liquid into motion to thereby generate droplets ofthe liquid. FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the agitatingmeans 30 applicable to the present invention, which comprises a rotor 32with a plurality of radially extending blade members 34.

Specifically, the outlet 24 of the container 20 can be arranged toconnect via one or more conduits with a suction pipe of an internalcombustion engine of the vehicle. In use, a developed negative pressureat the suction pipe by an operating combustion engine will continuouslydraw in ambient air at high speed via the inlet 22 thereby forming theincoming fluid stream (A). After entering the container 20 via the inlet22, the fast moving fluid stream (A), which comprises mainly air, willbe directed towards the lower portion of the container 20, andsubsequently, drives the at least one agitating means 30 arranged at ornear the bottom of the container 20 into movement or rotation at highspeed. The agitating means 30 agitates the contained liquid 5 at asufficiently high speed and consequently, generates fine droplets of theliquid with droplet sizes small enough to be suspended in or carried bythe moving air flow in the container 20. The generated liquid dropletswill then be conveyed by the moving air flow driven by the suction forceto form the outgoing fluid stream (B), which exits the container 20 viathe outlet 24 under pressure.

The container 20 can be configured with an elongated body with the inlet22 and the outlet 24 provided at, for example, an upper portion of thecontainer 20. Preferably, the container 20 can be configured in theshape of, for example, a cylinder or a prism, or more preferably, atriangular prism. A triangular, prismatic shape of the container 20 isbeneficial in providing a plurality of side walls such that it allowssufficient surface areas for collisions between the water droplets andthe internal surfaces of the container 20 to thereby further reduce thesize of the formed liquid droplets, and yet, the configuration does notsignificantly compromises compactness when a plurality of apparatuses 10are required to be operated in a system to enhance the mist generatingeffect. Nevertheless, a person skilled in the art would appreciate thatcontainers in other shapes and/or configurations should also beencompassed, as long as they are considered suitable and applicable forthe purpose of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the at least one agitating means 30 may comprise aplurality of agitating means 30 movably arranged along a longitudinalaxis of the container 20. Preferably, the plurality of agitating means30 are adapted to move or rotate about a common longitudinal axis suchas the central axis of the container 20. In this embodiment, at leastone baffle means 40 can be provided in the container 20 and preferably,arranged above the at least one agitating means 30 for controlling fluidflow in the container 20. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 to 6, the at least onebaffle means 40 can be provided in the form of, for example, one or morepartitions 41 arranged to substantially traverse the flow direction ofthe fluid stream, and more particularly, the flow of the outgoing fluidstream (B) from the at least one agitating means 30 towards the outlet24. Preferably, the at least one baffle means 40 may comprise one ormore fluid passageways 42 for the outgoing fluid stream to pass through.The one or more fluid passageways 42 can be provided in the form of oneor more openings or through holes which allow the liquid droplets ofsufficiently small sizes to pass through, depending on the size andconfiguration of the through holes, and then continue to move upwardalong the container 20 towards the outlet 24. Liquid droplets abovecertain sizes will be blocked by and subsequently, condensed at thelower surface of the partition 41 of the baffle means 40, and thenreturn to the contained liquid 5 and/or towards the agitating means 30below the baffle means 40. The filtering of the small-sized droplets andthe condensation of the large liquid droplets can further be enhanced byhaving the through holes of the fluid passageways 42 as comprising aplurality of side walls, for example, in the configuration of triangularthrough holes as shown in the figures. The plurality of side walls ofthe through holes and particularly, the acute angles formed by such sidewalls increase the surface areas available for contacts and collisionsbetween the liquid droplets and the partition 41 of the baffle means 40.The resulting effect is to provide a further reduction in droplets sizeof the formed liquid droplets

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the one or more fluid passageways 42 arepreferred to be arranged at or near a peripheral edge of the bafflemeans 40 for receiving the outgoing fluid stream (B) from thecorresponding agitating means 30. More preferably, the at least onebaffle means 40 comprises a plurality of baffle means 40 arranged alongthe longitudinal axis of the container 20, with the respective one ofthe plurality of agitating means 30 being arranged below andsubstantially covered by the corresponding one of the plurality of thebaffle means 40 to thereby form an alternating arrangement along thelongitudinal axis of the container 20. More preferably, the respectivefluid passageways 42 of at least two adjacent baffle means 40 arepositioned to be offset from one another, for example, being positionedat opposing ends of the respective baffle means 40 to cause the outgoingfluid flow (B) to travel a sufficiently long distance between the fluidpassageways 42 of two adjacent and consecutive baffle means 40 tomaximize the contact areas available for condensing any large liquiddroplets.

In one preferred embodiment, the plurality of baffle means 40 comprisean increasing number of fluid passageways 42 from one baffle means 40 toanother in a direction towards the outlet 24 and along the longitudinalaxis of the container 20. More preferably, the plurality of baffle means40 comprise fluid passageways 42 with decreasing size from one bafflemeans 40 to another in the direction towards the outlet 24 and along thelongitudinal axis of the container 20. For the embodiment as shown inFIGS. 3 to 6, each of the triangular through holes of the fluidpassageways 42 may comprise side length ranged from about 2 mm to about10 mm for each side, for example. Again, these preferred arrangementsare beneficial in providing increased contact areas and therefore,further reducing droplets size of the liquid exiting the outlet 24.

In one further embodiment, the apparatus 10 may further comprise a fluidflow directing member 50 adapted to direct flow of the outgoing fluidstream (B) towards the direction of the outlet 24 of the container 20,and optionally, to increase a flow rate of the outgoing fluid stream(B). The fluid flow directing member 50 can be provided in any knownforms such as, but is not limited to, a fan, a blower, a rotor blade, animpeller or the like, as long as it is movable to direct, guide and/orforce the outgoing fluid stream (B) in moving in a direction towards theoutlet 24. FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the flowdirecting member 50 applicable to the present invention arranged above atop-most baffle means 40. It will be understood that the arrangement ofthe flow directing member 50 should not be limited to the illustratedembodiment, but any other possible configurations and positions wouldalso be applicable as long as they are considered suitable andapplicable to the purpose of the present invention.

More preferably, the apparatus 10 may further be arranged to comprise atleast one filtering means 60 adapted to further reduce size of theliquid droplets and particularly to do so prior to exiting the container20 via the outlet 24. The filtering means 60 can be provided in anyknown forms such as, but not limited to, one or more filters, sieves,meshes, or even sheet materials or fabrics with pores of a predeterminedsize, as long as they are adapted to filter and/or further reduce sizeof the generated liquid droplets carried by the outgoing fluid stream(B). FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a plurality ofthe filtering means 60 applicable to the present invention arrangedabove a plurality of fluid flow directing means 50. Preferably, theplurality of filtering means 60 may each comprise pores or through holeswith sizes ranged from about 0.01 mm to about 0.10 mm; and morepreferably, from about 0.03 mm to about 0.05 mm. The arrangement of thefiltering means 60 and/or the flow directing means 50 should not belimited to the illustrated embodiment, but any other possibleconfigurations and positions would also be applicable as long as theyare considered suitable and applicable to the purpose of the presentinvention.

The container 20 of the apparatus 10 is preferred to be made of one ormore light-weight, rigid and corrosion resistant materials such as, butnot limited to, plastics, stainless steel, aluminum or otherlight-weight metal alloys. More preferably, the container 20 isconfigured to accommodate about 1 litre of liquid, but this may varydepending on factors such as vehicle type and size, engine size, or thelike. For example, one or more containers of about 500 ml in volume eachmay suit a small, compact car with relatively low power; while one ormore containers of up to about 100 L of volume each can be applied inlarge watercrafts such as ocean-going vessels or tankers. In onepreferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 having a container 20 with avolume of about 500 ml is capable of generating mist at flow ratesranged from about 50 ml/hr to about 100 ml/hr.

Optionally, the apparatus 10 may further comprise one or more sensorsfor sensing one or more conditions of the contained liquid such asliquid level and/or one or more conditions of the generated mist such aspressure, temperature and flow rate of the mist. For example, sensors 80can be arranged at the container 20 to communicate with a printedcircuit board assembly (PCBA) to thereby control operation of theapparatus 10. In one preferred embodiment, the sensors 80 may comprise aliquid level sensor arranged at the container 20 for detecting a levelof the accommodated liquid. The liquid level sensor may further comprisean indicator or alarm capable of generating an audible signal such as aloud buzzing sound to alert the user of, for example, a situation whenthe contained liquid has exceeded a certain maximum level and/or whenthe contained liquid has been consumed to a predetermined minimum level.The liquid level sensor is of particular importance to avoid thecontained liquid from entering the internal combustion engine of thevehicle, which may otherwise adversely affect performance of or evendamage the engine of the vehicle.

The present invention further relates to a system 90 for generatingmist. FIG. 10 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the system 90comprising a plurality of apparatuses 10 as described above. Preferably,the system 90 comprises at least three apparatuses 10A, 10B and 10C withtheir respective containers 20A, 20B and 20C connected consecutively insequence. Each of the containers 20A, 20B and 20C comprises a respectiveinlet 22A, 22B and 22C and a respective outlet 24A, 24B and 24C, withthe outlet and inlet of two consecutive containers, for example, thefirst outlet 24A of the first container 20A, being adapted to beconnected with the second inlet 22B of the second container 20B, and thesecond outlet 24B of the second container 20B being adapted to beconnected with the third inlet 22C of the third container 20C, etc. tothereby allow fluid communication among the three apparatuses 10A, 10Band 10C. It was observed that, in one embodiment, an optimum mistgenerating performance can be achieved by a system having at least threeapparatuses 10 connected in sequence to thereby allow an improvedequilibrium of pressure within the system.

In use, the outlet 24C is adapted to be connected with the suction pipeof the internal combustion engine of the vehicle from which a negativepressure is developed to draw ambient air into the system 90 via inlet22A to form the incoming air stream (A_(I)). The fast moving incomingair stream (A_(I)) will then drive the at least one agitating means 30Ato rotate at speed, which agitates the contained liquid 5 previouslyintroduced into the container 20 to generate liquid droplets. It ispreferred that liquid of no more than half of the total volume of thefirst container 20A will be introduced to the container 20A. Forexample, for a first container having a total volume of one litre, themaximum volume of liquid introduced to the first container will be about500 ml or less. The generated liquid droplets will then be conveyed bythe moving air stream in the first container 20A to form the outgoingfluid stream (B_(I)), which passes through the fluid passageways 42A ofthe baffle means 40A and subsequently, exits the first container 20A viathe first outlet 24A. The outgoing fluid stream (B_(I)) may compriserelatively large-sized liquid droplets carried by the fast moving airflow, which will then enter the second container 20B via the secondinlet 22B as an incoming fluid stream (A_(II)).

After entering the second container 20B, the incoming fluid stream(A_(II)) will in turn drive the at least one agitating means 30B torotate. Preferably, the second apparatus 10B may comprise a largernumber of agitating means 30B than that of the first apparatus 10A. Forexample, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 10, the second apparatus 10Bmay comprise two agitating means 30B whilst the first apparatus 10A maycomprise only one agitating means 30A. Similarly, it is preferred thatthe second apparatus 10B may comprise a larger number of baffle means40B than that of the first apparatus 10A, for example, the secondapparatus 10B may comprise two baffle means 40B whilst the firstapparatus 10A may comprise only one baffle means 40A, as shown in FIG.10. The increased number of the agitating means 30 and baffle means 40from the first apparatus 10A to the second apparatus 10B is advantageousin further increasing the amount of the generated liquid droplets and atthe same time, reducing the droplet size of the liquid when the fluidstream proceeds from one container to another. The outgoing fluid stream(B_(II)) which passes through the fluid passageways 42B now comprises amixture of a fast moving air stream, carrying with it a plurality ofliquid droplets with size smaller than those being carried by theoutgoing fluid stream (B_(I)). A fluid flow directing member 50B canfurther be provided to direct the outgoing fluid stream (B_(I)) towardsthe second outlet 24B of the second container 20B. The outgoing fluidstream (B_(I)) will then exit the second container 20B, and enter thethird container 20C via the third inlet 22C as an incoming fluid stream(A_(III)).

Similar to the fluid flow paths as described for the second container20B, the fast moving incoming fluid stream (A_(III)) will drive aplurality of agitating means 30C to rotate to thereby increase theamount of the generated liquid droplets. The outgoing fluid stream(B_(III)), which comprises a large number of very fine liquid dropletscarried by a stream of fast moving air, will then pass through aplurality of baffle means 40C to further reduce the size of thedroplets. In the embodiment as shown in the figure, the third apparatus10C may comprise, for example, three agitating means 30C and threebaffle means 40C. Preferably, one or more filtering means 60C can bearranged above the uppermost agitating means 30C and the baffle means40C to further reduce the size of the liquid droplets, and to ensureonly liquid droplets with sufficiently small sizes can pass through.Eventually, the very fine stream of liquid droplets will exit the thirdcontainer 20C via the third outlet 24C, carrying the suspended stream ofmist to the internal combustion engine of the vehicle.

FIG. 11 shows another embodied system 90 comprising three apparatuses10A, 10B and 10C each configured in a shape of a triangular prism andconnected in series via a plurality of connecting means 70. In thisembodiment, the connecting means 70 can be provided in form of one ormore pivotally or hingedly connected portions arranged at peripheraledges of the lids 21A, 21B and 21C of the respective containers 20A, 20Band 20C, as shown in the figure. The triangular configuration of theapparatuses 10 is beneficial to enable a close packing arrangement ofthe apparatuses 10A, 10B and 10C and at the same time, allow the sidewalls of the triangular prismatic apparatus to support one another whenthey are arranged in a vehicle.

FIGS. 12 to 16 show an alternative embodiment of an apparatus 100 forgenerating mist according to the present invention. Specifically, FIG.12 illustrates the arrangement of three baffle means 400 stackable overone another within and along the longitudinal axis of a container (notshown), which can be of a similar configuration to the container 20 asdescribed in the previous embodiments.

As shown in the figures, each of the baffle means 400 can be configuredto comprise a triangular, prismatic housing 402 having an open bottomfor receiving and accommodating a respective agitating means 300 withinthe housing 402. In this embodiment, edges of the peripheral sides ofthe upper portion 403 and the lower portion 404 of the housing 402 canoptionally be configured with one or more ridges 405 and/or recesses(not shown) for securely positioning or connecting two adjacent housings402. Preferably, the one or more ridges 405 and/or recesses may compriseone or more sealing members, such as but not limited to one or moresilicone seals, to thereby enable substantially leak-proof and air-tightconnections between the two adjacent housings 402.

Each of the housings 402 may further comprise a conduit 222 connectablewith another conduit 222 of the next, adjacent housing 402 to form acontinuous inlet channel 220. The inlet channel 220 is adapted tofluidly connect the exterior and the interior of the container of theapparatus 100 for receiving the incoming fluid stream into thecontainer. Preferably, the inlet channel 220 is adapted to convey theincoming fluid stream towards the lower portion of the container tothereby allow the liquids or liquid droplets carried by the incomingfluid stream in reaching the agitating means 300 located at the bottomof the container. The agitating means 300 may then rotate at high speedto atomize the liquid into a mist of the liquid, or to further reducesize of the liquid droplets.

As described earlier, liquid droplets generated by the agitating means300 will be conveyed upwardly and longitudinally along the container bythe fast moving air flow driven by the negative pressure generated bythe internal combustion engine of the vehicle. One or more fluidpassageways 420 can be provided at the upper surface of each of thebaffle means 400 to allow the mist carrying, fast moving fluid stream topass through. In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the fluidpassageways 420 can be provided in the form of one or more elongated ortriangularly shaped slots or through holes, for example. It would bereadily understood that the configuration, size, number and position ofthe fluid passageways 420 can be tailored and customized according tothe specific applications, and should not be limited to any of thedescribed specific embodiments.

FIG. 13 further shows a flow directing member 500 arranged above theupper most baffle means 400 for directing flow of the mist carryingfluid stream towards the outlet 240 of the container. One or morefiltering means 600 can further be provided above the plurality ofagitating means 300, baffle means 400 and the flow directing member 500to thereby filter and to further reduce the size of the liquid droplets.In this embodiment, the filtering means 600 can be configured tocomprise a triangular, prismatic housing 602 adapted to stack above thehousing 402 of the adjacent baffle means 400 for a secure positioning orconnection. As described in the previous embodiment, the filtering means600 are arranged with sufficiently small pores or through holes 604which allow only liquid droplets of sufficiently small size to passthrough. Droplets with larger size will be retained and returned to theupcoming fluid stream below for further size reduction. In this way,repeated cycles of filtering and size reduction by the cooperativeactions of the agitating means 300, the baffle means 400, the flowdirecting means 500, the filtering means 600 as well as the continuousupward suction force from the outlet 240 and/or the internal combustionengine ensure mist with sufficiently small liquid droplets size begenerated by the apparatus.

Structures of the agitating means 300, the baffle means 400, the flowdirecting member 500 and the filtering means 600 can be provided withsimilar configurations as to the agitating means 30, the baffle means40, the flow directing member 50 and the filtering means 60 as abovedescribed in the previous embodiments, although it will be understoodthat the configurations, sizes, numbers and/or positions of thesefeatures can be tailored and customized according to the specificapplications, and should not be limited to any of the described specificembodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplified arrangement of the apparatus 100having five baffle means 400 and five corresponding agitating means 300housed therein, four filtering means 600, and one flow directing means500. The plurality of the baffle means 400 and the filtering means 600are securely stacked over one another to form a continuous column, withthe internal cavity as defined by the various housings of the columnbeing in fluid communication with the exterior via the inlet channel 220and the outlet 240.

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of the system 900 of the presentinvention having three apparatuses 100 (100A, 100B and 100C) connectedvia a connecting means 700, which can be provided in the form of anelongated connecting portion 700 engageable with the corresponding lids210A, 210B and 210C via, for example, screw connections 702.

As mentioned above, the number of the baffle means and the filteringmeans provided in each column or apparatus are adjustable and can betailored to the specific applications and requirements. For example, itwas observed that a system for use in diesel-fueled engine is preferredto comprise at least three apparatuses, with the first and the secondcontainers each having 6 levels including 5 baffle means and 1 filteringmeans, and the third container having 9 levels including 5 baffle meansand 4 filtering means; and that a system for use in gasoline-fueledengine is preferred to comprise two apparatuses, with the firstcontainer having 6 levels including 5 baffle means and 1 filteringmeans, and the second container having 9 levels including 5 baffle meansand 4 filtering means.

Although the apparatus and/or the system of the present invention can besolely driven by the suction force from the internal combustion engineto thereby allow an economic and eco-friendly generation of mist withsufficiently small droplet sizes at high efficiency, one or moresupplementary suction pumps may optionally be provided to enhance thesuction power to the apparatus and/or the system and thus, furtherimprove the mist generation performance in terms of mist flow ratesand/or droplet sizes.

The mist generating apparatus and/or system of the present invention isadvantageous in that, when used in a fuel-powered vehicle having aninternal combustion engine, it helps in increasing efficiency of thecombustion engine by, for example, lowering the operating temperature,and therefore, facilitating a higher performance of the vehicle withreduced pollutants emission. The liquid accommodated in the container ofthe apparatus may optionally comprise one or more performance enhancingagents and/or oxygen-enriched solutions to further improve performanceof the engine, particularly after being atomized for a significantincrease in surface area. In contrast to the prior art technologieswhich apply humid air from steam, external power is optional for thepresent invention as the agitating means can be driven solely by thesuction force from the negative pressure developed by the internalcombustion engine. In addition, the mist generating apparatus and/orsystem of the present invention provides an energy saving cooling effectwhich is known to play an important role in improving efficiency of thecombustion engine. Furthermore, mist can be generated almost immediatelyonce sufficient negative pressure is developed by the operating internalcombustion engine, without any significant delay which will normally berequired for warming up the system or heating up the water in the priorart technologies using steam. Lastly, the amount of generated mist, aswell as the droplet size of the mist can be controlled by, for example,adjusting the number of the agitating means, the baffle means, thefiltering means and the flow directing means of the apparatuses, and/orthe number of the apparatuses being used in the system. High mistgenerating efficacy in terms of mist flow rates and/or liquid dropletssizes is achievable by the cooperative actions of the agitating means,the baffle means, the flow directing means, the filtering means of thepresent invention.

The present description illustrates the principles of the presentinvention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the artwill be able to devise various arrangements that, although notexplicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of theinvention and are included within its spirit and scope.

Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, andembodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, areintended to encompass both structural and functional equivalentsthereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include bothcurrently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in thefuture, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function,regardless of structure.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and do notlimit the scope of the invention in any manner. It can be appreciatedthat any of the features described herein may be used with anyembodiment. The illustrative embodiments are not exclusive of each otheror of other embodiments not recited herein. Accordingly, the inventionalso provides embodiments that comprise combinations of one or more ofthe illustrative embodiments described above. Modifications andvariations of the invention as herein set forth can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, only suchlimitations should be imposed as are indicated by the appended claims.

In the claims hereof, any element expressed as a means for performing aspecified function is intended to encompass any way of performing thatfunction including, for example, a) a combination of circuit elementsthat performs that function or b) software in any form, including,therefore, firmware, microcode or the like, combined with appropriatecircuitry for executing that software to perform the function. Theinvention as defined by such claims resides in the fact that thefunctionalities provided by the various recited means are combined andbrought together in the manner which the claims call for. It is thusregarded that any means that can provide those functionalities areequivalent to those shown herein.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for generating mist,comprising: a container adapted to accommodate a liquid, the containercomprising an inlet for receiving an incoming fluid stream into thecontainer, and an outlet via which an outgoing fluid stream exits thecontainer; at least one agitating means arranged in the container foragitating the accommodated liquid to generate droplets of the liquid; aplurality of baffle means arranged in the container for controllingfluid flow in the container, each of the baffle means comprises one ormore fluid passageways for the outgoing fluid stream to pass through;wherein the agitating means is arranged to be driven by the incomingfluid stream, such that the generated liquid droplets are caused by theincoming fluid stream to form the outgoing fluid stream, andsubsequently, exit the container; and wherein the one or more fluidpassageways of the baffle means are of decreasing size from one bafflemeans to another towards the outlet and along a longitudinal axis of thecontainer.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone agitating means is adapted to move about the longitudinal axis ofthe container.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the atleast one agitating means comprises a plurality of agitating meansarranged along the longitudinal axis of the container.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the plurality of agitating means arearranged to rotate about a common longitudinal axis of the container. 5.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more fluidpassageways are arranged at or near a peripheral edge of the bafflemeans.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the baffle meansare arranged to be substantially traverse to a flow direction of theoutgoing fluid stream.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe plurality of baffle means are arranged along the longitudinal axisof the container.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein therespective one or more fluid passageways of at least two adjacent bafflemeans of the plurality of baffle means are positioned to be offset fromone another.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein therespective one or more fluid passageways of at least two adjacent bafflemeans are positioned at opposing ends of the respective baffle means.10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneagitating means is arranged below and is substantially covered by acorresponding one of the plurality of baffle means.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the at least one agitating meanscomprises a plurality of agitating means, with the plurality ofagitating means and the plurality of baffle means being arranged in analternating arrangement.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe plurality of baffle means comprise an increasing number of fluidpassageways from one baffle means to another towards the outlet andalong the longitudinal axis of the container.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a fluid flow directing memberadapted to direct flow of the outgoing fluid stream towards the outletof the container.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising at least one filtering means adapted to reduce size of theliquid droplets.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a liquid level sensor arranged at the container for detectinga level of the accommodated liquid.
 16. A system for generating mist,comprising: a plurality of apparatuses according to claim 1, theplurality of apparatuses comprising: at least a first apparatus having afirst inlet and a first outlet, and a second apparatus having a secondinlet and a second outlet; wherein the first outlet is adapted to beconnected with the second inlet to thereby allow fluid communicationbetween the first apparatus and the second apparatus.
 17. The systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the first apparatus comprises a firstnumber of agitating means and the second apparatus comprises a secondnumber of agitating means, with the second number of agitating meansbeing larger than the first number of agitating means.
 18. The systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the first apparatus comprises a firstnumber of baffle means and the second apparatus comprises a secondnumber of baffle means, with the second number of baffle means beinglarger than the first number of the baffle means.
 19. The systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the plurality of apparatuses comprise atleast three apparatuses connected in sequence and in fluidcommunication.
 20. The system according to claim 16, further comprisingat least one connecting means for connecting the plurality ofapparatuses.
 21. The system according to claim 16, wherein the pluralityof apparatuses are each configured in a shape of a triangular prism tothereby allow a close packing arrangement of the apparatuses.